The smell.............

**WV_mom_of2** · 01-12-2010, 09:15 AM

We have some friends who are really really nice people! They are retired and rather wealthy. They are also very generous and any time dh stops by to visit them they send him home loaded with goodies. They send us candy, laundry detergent, etc. She shops at Sams so she buys in bulk.

Last time he was down there she sent me a HUGE jug of Tide laundry detergent. It has Downy in it and says Cool Breeze scent. I have to tell you, if I lived someplace that the breeze smelled like that stuff, I'd MOVE! OMG! This stuff is VERY thick and I only use about 1/8 of a capful in a large load. The smell goes all over the house and drives my allergies nuts! My eyes water, my nose runs, etc. I usually end up having to take an allergy pill. I have no other detergent to use. I've been waiting on a good sale to stock up again, knowing that I had this big jug to use until then.

But dumb ole frugal me, I just have to use that stuff up. I NEVER buy an expensive name brand(don't see the need) and I never buy something that smells. But I just can't bear to give it/throw it away! It was FREE for heaven's sake! Good thing I got bottles of 100 off brand Benadryl for 1.00 at the Dollar Tree!!

**Ceashels** · 01-12-2010, 09:24 AM

Are you able to swap with a neighbor or relative for an equal amount of detergent you do tolerate?

**Josephhgoins** · 01-12-2010, 09:28 AM

OR can you dilute it with water and maybe add a little baking soda or something to cut the smell?

**NikoSan999** · 01-12-2010, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by Josephhgoins

OR can you dilute it with water and maybe add a little baking soda or something to cut the smell?

This is what I was going to say. If you're only using 1/8 of a cap you could dilute it 8 to 1 plus add the baking soda.

That must be some strong chemical crap.

**Josephhgoins** · 01-12-2010, 09:54 AM

P.S. I bought some Dove and it was heavily over scented like this one time. I emailed the company and complained and they sent me coupons for amounts off and for some free bars. You may want to contact Tide and see if you can get a free bottle and then buy the unscented.

**mombottoo** · 01-12-2010, 10:16 AM

Free is good, but only when it doesn't cost us issues. Allergies are a PITA and luckily the symptoms can be taken care of with the allergy meds. I guess my point is your "free" soap isn't "free" if you have to medicate yourself in order to use it.

Find someone to trade with or go buy some soap you can be around without taking the pills.

**2ndGenGranola** · 01-12-2010, 10:56 AM

I hate that overly scented laundry detergent. One of our thrift stores here washes stuff in that so now I associate strongly scented laundry products with low level thrift stores.

We got some hand me downs washed in the strong stuff. I had to wash the items 3-5 times to get the stink out.

Whoever thought of adding scent to laundry products must have stock in pharmaceuticals.

**never2late** · 01-12-2010, 11:01 AM

Strong odors set off my asthma, so I know just what you're talking about. I'm the one you'll find in the aisle opening the containers (if it's a new brand) and smelling them before I'll buy them!

**miss_thrifty** · 01-12-2010, 11:03 AM

vinegar. water and laundry detergent.

**HisDaisy** · 01-12-2010, 11:39 AM

I feel for you. I hate strong smelling stuff. I don't know why the manufacturers do that. My allergies get so bad around perfume.

**McD** · 01-12-2010, 11:54 AM

My MIL uses that and I absolutely hate it. I can't stand the smell. So when she sends Wesley home from her house and she's washed his clothes, blankets, coat, etc. I just have to redo it all. I've told her this and she insists it's just delightful.

**ktsmama** · 01-12-2010, 01:40 PM

Could you buy a cheaper bottle of no scent laundry soap and pour it in to mix with the stronger smelling stuff? Maybe it would help "thin out" the smell.

**frugalwarrior2** · 01-12-2010, 02:28 PM

I hated that. Not too strong a word just a smell. It made my throat dry,we had to second rinse. I was using clariton and was breaking out in rashes. I had bought a bunch a Farmer Jacks close out sale. Now I know why it was there. It left a weird musky smell on clothes esp. towels. I don't use fabric softener. I think it was our purified well water + the detergent. My advice -give it away or dump it. I would also complain and see if you can at least get coupons. WHeeew. PS.-Beware the tide plus fabrese. Nasty too.

**shoiji** · 01-12-2010, 03:48 PM

Any chance you could use the detergent for something else. Like cleaning cars, outdoor furniture, patios, etc. That way you can still use it but it will be less frequent and not inside. It will last just as long.

Yup, I like using stuff I have especially if it was free!!! Like the turkey I cooked up which was free and then decided I needed to make a whole meal and invite a couple people over. Really, I could have just cooked the turkey and then divided the meat up.

My kitty would probably like it since she likes smells, especially used dryer sheets. Do not ask why but she just has to roll around on them.

**mamamia** · 01-12-2010, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by Josephhgoins

P.S. I bought some Dove and it was heavily over scented like this one time. I emailed the company and complained and they sent me coupons for amounts off and for some free bars. You may want to contact Tide and see if you can get a free bottle and then buy the unscented.

Yes, I was coming on to say this same thing. I'm VERY sure Tide will stand behind their product, and replace your's with free coupons.

Theresa